How to Make Amish Friendship Bread Starter

With the prices of everything going sky high, it is always a good idea to know how to make bread starter. I usually make bread from this starter during the upcoming holiday season, but it is good to use year 'round.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided use
• 3 cups white sugar, divided use
• 3 cups milk, divided use

1. The starter takes 10 days to make.
   
   On day 1, in a small bowl, using a wooden spoon, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes. In a 2-quart container (glass, plastic, or ceramic), combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar.

2. Slowly stir 1 cup milk into dissolved yeast mixture. Let stand loosely covered, until bubbly. Add yeast mixture to flour and sugar, and stir until fully combined. Leave container loosely covered at room temperature.

3. On days 2 through 4, stir starter with a wooden spoon. On day 5, stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. On days 6 through 9, stir only.

4. On day 10, stir in 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Remove 1 cup to make your first loaf, give 1 cup each to two friends along with this recipe. Store the remaining 1 cup starter in a container in the refrigerator until ready to make bread or more starter. You may also freeze the starter.

5. Feed your starter by allowing the remaining starter to come to room temperature and then following this feeding schedule:
   
   Day 1 Allow starter to stand and warm to room temperature;
   
   Day 2-4 Stir only;
   
   Day 5 Add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, 1 cup flour;
   
   Day 6-9 Stir only;
   
   Day 10 Add 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, 1 cup flour. Stir by hand until well blended. Divide starter into 1 cup batches.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are making too much starter, or don't intend to share, cut one feeding in half. That is, only add the milk, sugar, and flour once.
• Do not let your starter drop below one cup.
• Do not use metal bowls or utensils to make the starter. The use of metal makes the starter taste bad.
• These instructions are for the starter only. See How to Make Amish Friendship Bread for the bread recipe!

[momose]

on 8/1/2009 I make Amish Friendship Bread frequently from a starter gift ages ago, and I appreciate the ideas for RE-starter! Thanks for the recipe. ***** and a recommendation.

[lynnhsmomof2]

on 11/19/2008 Great article! 5* and I added to favorites.